Spain: Courses on Islam in Public Schools

A Gateway to Radical Islam?

The guidelines for teaching Islam in public schools — drafted by the Islamic Commission of Spain and approved by the Ministry of Education — are aimed at stirring religious fervor and promoting Islamic identity among young Muslims in Spain.

The guidelines, which envision the teaching of every aspect of Islamic doctrine, culture and history, are interspersed with "politically correct" terminology... but the overall objective is clear: to inculcate young people with an Islamic worldview.

According to the guidelines, preschoolers (ages 3- 6) are to learn the Islamic profession of faith, the Shahada, which asserts that "there is no God but Allah and Mohammed is his messenger." The Shahada is the gateway into Islam: one becomes a Muslim by repeating the Shahada three times in front of a witness. They are also encouraged to "emulate, through different forms of expression, the values observed by Mohammed."

In primary school (ages 6-12), the guidelines call for children to "recognize Mohammed as the final prophet sent by Allah and accept him as the most important."

The Spanish government has published new guidelines for teaching Islam in public preschools and primary and secondary schools.

The guidelines are being touted as a way to prevent Muslim children and young people from being drawn into terrorism by exposing them to a "moderate" interpretation of Islam.

On closer inspection, however, the guidelines — drafted by the Islamic Commission of Spain and approved by the Ministry of Education — are aimed at stirring religious fervor and promoting Islamic identity among young Muslims in Spain.

The new plan, which is the most ambitious in all of Europe, amounts to a government-approved program to establish a full-fledged Islamic studies curriculum at public schools nationwide, at a time when Christian religious symbols are being systematically removed from Spanish public schools by official enforcers of secularism.

Although Spanish taxpayers are being expected to pay for the religious education of up to 300,000 Muslim students between the ages of 3 and 18, it remains unclear whether Spanish authorities will have any oversight of the teaching of Islam in public schools. The government has agreed to allow local Muslim organizations to draft the course syllabi, choose the textbooks, and even determine who will teach the classes.

Spain's Ministry of Education quietly published the guidelines in the official state gazette (Boletín Oficial del Estado) on March 18. The curriculum for teaching Islam in Spanish public preschools can be found here; in public primary schools here; and in public secondary schools here.

The guidelines, which envision the teaching of every aspect of Islamic doctrine, culture and history, are interspersed with "politically correct" terminology — the documents are rife with buzzwords such as coexistence, diversity, equality, human rights, inclusion, integration, intercultural education, interreligious dialogue, moderation, pluralism, religious liberty, respect and tolerance — but the overall objective is clear: to inculcate young people with an Islamic worldview.

According to the guidelines, preschoolers (ages 3- 6) are to learn the Islamic profession of faith, the Shahada, which asserts that "there is no God but Allah and Mohammed is his messenger." The Shahada is the gateway into Islam: one becomes a Muslim by repeating the Shahada three times in front of a witness.

Block 6 is aimed at instilling "interest for Islamic religious and cultural texts," stirring "curiosity for the Koran in oral and written language," and learning "Islamic recitations, narrations and descriptions."

Children should develop an "attitude of listening to Koranic and prophetic texts" and memorize "short Hadiths [reports about the words, actions or habits of Mohammed] and Koranic stories." They are also encouraged to "emulate, through different forms of expression, the values observed by Mohammed."

In primary school (ages 6-12), the guidelines call for children to "recognize Mohammed as the final prophet sent by Allah and accept him as the most important." Students are to "recite the Shahada in perfect Arabic and Spanish," and "recognize that the Koran is a guide for all of humanity." Children are to "know certain Arabisms in the Spanish language and appreciate the linguistic contributions of Islam to the history of Spain, using verbal language to communicate emotions and sentiments."

Primary school students are to "know examples of Mohammed's coexistence with non-Muslims," although there is no indication that Muslim pupils will be taught about the 900 Jews of the Banu Qurayza tribe in Medina that Mohammed ordered to be beheaded in 627AD.

Students are also to "understand that Islam is a religion of peace — spiritual or internal peace and social or communitarian peace. The prophet teaches us to live in peace. Islam promotes solutions to resolve conflicts and social inequality."

Moreover, the guidelines call for primary students to "comprehend and explain the existence of other monotheistic revelations of Allah: Judaism and Christianity." But it remains unclear whether students will learn about the three instances in the Koran (Suras 2:65, 5:60 and 7:166) in which Allah turns Jews into apes and/or pigs.

In secondary school (ages 12-18), the guidelines call for students to "know, analyze and explain the affective-emotional attitudes of Mohammed when confronting personal offenses, valuing conflict resolution." It remains unclear whether students will learn about Suras 5:33 and 33:57-61, which call for curses against those who "annoy Allah and His Messenger."

Block 4 calls on students to evaluate the "transversality present in the Koran and the Hadiths regarding social relations." It does not, however, mention whether students will be taught that the Koran and the Hadiths require non-Muslim subjects (dhimmis) residing in Muslim lands to pay a protection tax known as the jizya.

In a section on the "Islamic model for economics and jurisprudence," students are asked to identify Islamic solutions to world problems. They are also asked to "analyze and explain the benefits of interest-free loans [aka Sharia finance]."

In Block 8, students are asked to "analyze the stages of the establishment and flourishing of Islamic jurisprudence [Sharia law] during the splendor of al-Andalus."

Al-Andalus is the Arabic name given to those parts of Spain, Portugal and France that were occupied by Muslim conquerors (also known as the Moors) from 711 to 1492. The Islamic State (ISIS) has repeatedly vowed to "liberate" al-Andalus from non-Muslims and make it part of their new Islamic Caliphate.

The guidelines also encourage students to use the internet to learn more about Islam, even though the internet is playing an increasingly important role in the radicalization of young Muslims.

The legal basis for teaching Islam in Spanish public schools can be found in Article 27.3 of the Spanish Constitution of 1978, which establishes that although Spain is non-confessional (meaning that it does not recognize an official state religion), "the State guarantees parents the right for their children to obtain a religious and moral education which conforms to their own convictions." Muslims (and Roman Catholics) have long understood this to mean that children are entitled to religious education in public schools.

On November 10, 1992, the Socialist government of Felipe González — seeking to end the monopoly of the Roman Catholic Church over Spanish education — negotiated a "Cooperation Agreement between the Government of Spain and the Islamic Commission of Spain" (Comisión Islámica de España, CIE). That agreement, codified in Law 26/1992, recognized Islam as a minority religion in Spain and guaranteed that "Muslim students ... receive Islamic religious education in public schools."

(Also on November 10, 1992, the Spanish government approved the "Cooperation Agreement between the Government of Spain and the Federation of Evangelical Christian Entities in Spain." That agreement was codified in Law 24/1992. In June 1993, the Spanish government published guidelines for the teaching of evangelical Christianity in public schools.)

In recent years, Muslim leaders in Spain have complained that the Spanish government has failed to implement the 1992 agreement. According to the CIE, 90% of Muslims students in Spain lack access to Islamic studies in public schools. The new guidelines appear to signal the current government's commitment to follow through on the promises of past governments.

The guidelines were drafted by CIE president Riaÿ Tatary, a Syrian who has lived in Spain for more than 45 years. Tatary, a medical doctor who is also the imam of the Abu-Bakr Mosque, the second-largest mosque in Madrid, is often portrayed as the epitome of Muslim integration and moderation.

Tatary is the chief interlocutor between Spain's Muslim community and the Spanish government and has received a civilian merit award from the Ministry of Justice for his work on Spain's law on religious liberty.

But Spanish counterterrorism analysts (here and here) have long suspected that Tatary is closely linked to the Muslim Brotherhood, which is highly critical of Western concepts of justice and democracy. The Brotherhood's motto is: "Allah is our objective; the Prophet is our leader; the Koran is our law; Jihad is our way; dying in the way of Allah is our highest hope."

The Spanish government's curriculum guidelines for public school Islamic studies were drafted by Riaÿ Tatary, imam of the Abu-Bakr Mosque. Spanish counterterrorism analysts have long suspected that Tatary is closely linked to the Muslim Brotherhood.

Tatary denies the charges, although members of his mosque have, in fact, been tied to al-Qaeda.

Ahead of municipal elections in May 2015, Tatary admonished Muslims in Spain not to vote for any candidate who "hinders or impedes the establishment of mosques for our faithful, and cemeteries for our dead." He also said that Muslim voters should not vote for anyone who "hinders or prevents the children of Muslim citizens from receiving Islamic religion courses in public or private schools."

Spanish political analysts said Tatary's attempt to enforce the Spanish Muslim vote was alarming:

"At first glance, it does not seem objectionable that a group, whatever its nature, defends the rights of its members. However, when it comes to an entity that appeals to religion to impose a massive discipline of the faithful in the political arena, we cannot but be alarmed. Especially when that religion is engaged in relentless war within itself and with the rest of the civilized world."

It seems unlikely, however, that parents and imams will accept many of Tatary's politically correct non-literal interpretations of the Koran, which apparently are aimed at securing the government's approval of the guidelines. The challenge of reform-minded Muslims is to convince the majority of Muslims that the Koran and the Hadiths do not actually mean what they say.

In the end, the new guidelines may end up achieving a completely undesired objective: serving as gateway to radical Islam for tens of thousands of young Muslims in Spain.

Soeren Kern is a Senior Fellow at the New York-basedGatestone Institute. He is also Senior Fellow for European Politics at the Madrid-based Grupo de Estudios Estratégicos / Strategic Studies Group. Follow him onFacebook and onTwitter. His first book,Global Fire, will be out in 2016.

Comment on this item

31 Reader Comments

Harvey • Apr 6, 2016 at 17:29

Why oh why are the people of Western culture having Islam thrust upon them? It isn't a faith which is and ever going to be compatible with Western values, that Spain a Christian country is having this thrust upon it, it just beggars belief.

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Maria Soledad • Apr 3, 2016 at 11:16

This is the beginning of the end for Spain. We are going to need another Isabel and Fernando.

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Duncan • Apr 3, 2016 at 07:18

"The guidelines also encourage students to use the internet to learn more about Islam", let's hope they come across Sam Harris, Bill Warner, Robert Spencer, or an united version of the Koran in all it's gory.

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David Graham • Apr 3, 2016 at 00:37

If it was just one lunatic PC country in Europe that was in the middle of this Islamic LOVEFEST that would be one thing but it is seemingly most of Europe (except the old Iron Curtain countries and of course the always seemingly rational Swiss) that are doing everything intentionally they can to destroy their society. This is why that which Trump speaks about re: Muslim coming to the US Is not hate but a policy of survival. Stop them or you will need to eradicate them less they destroy you first.

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Jill Stirling • Apr 3, 2016 at 00:08

This seems to be a retrograde step back into the past. Islamic radicals designing curriculum for schools in Spain. Wondering how a moderate form will be taught when there is no such thing? Islam is an unreformed, medieval religion that preaches violence. This very disturbing.

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Ms Silvia • Apr 2, 2016 at 22:26

There was a reason Muslims were expelled from the Spanish peninsula in 1492... These folks are intolerant of other faiths. But how foolish the Spanish government is to allow the teaching of any religious doctrine in its public schools or institutions. Secular, modern countries should not be intimidated to turn backwards in time. Religious instruction should be left to the local churches (or mosques) and not at taxpayer expense.

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Sebastien • Apr 2, 2016 at 18:11

If only Catholics leaders cared about spreading the faith.

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Russell • Apr 2, 2016 at 18:08

The only reform that seems to be happening to Islam that it is being reformed into a more radical more deadly and more anti-democratic ideology based on the stricter adoption of the Teachings of the Quran and Hadiths.

Islam is a religion of war, not peace and although many Muslims may want to live more peaceful lives they will soon support and adopt the stricter more radical style when it is enforced under Sharia law as interpreted by those that will execute them if they don't. European democracy is rapidly becoming a historical concept.

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John Steele Russell • Apr 3, 2016 at 07:28

Europe is sleepwalking into a catastrophe. While Europe tries to pacify Muslims, Muslim countries step by step are driving Christian communities out. Muslims seem to be in conflict with almost everybody including themselves. It is a religion for the 13th century and totally at odds with modern culture and thinking.

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steven L • Apr 2, 2016 at 14:26

European Socialism is caught "flat footed" with its own PC! Europe must swallow her own ciguë (poison)!

As we like to say in the US, what goes around comes around. But the US is following very closely alas!

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Vivienne Leijonhufvud • Apr 2, 2016 at 11:52

Speechless and surprised, considering how hard the Spaniards fought against Islam in the 15th Century.

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Tom Davis Vivienne Leijonhufvud • Apr 2, 2016 at 14:26

According to Islamic law, once the students repeated the Shahada 3x they'd be Muslim and therefore subject to the apostasy laws in sharia, i.e. apostates are subject to the death penalty.

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B Campbell • Apr 2, 2016 at 11:46

Why would anyone in a "non-Muslim" speaking country (Spain) want to learn Arabic? It is my understanding this is just one more imposition placed on a host country when Muslims, who immigrate to a new country, insist that all things including language, a justice system and a religion be changed to accommodate the Muslim way of life?

Where are the spineless politicians in all countries that allow this to happen ... when will the politically correct crowd ever learn that Muslims are destroying the very fabric of host countries around the world.

Stop the madness!

Barry

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unique • Apr 2, 2016 at 11:40

Instead of teaching religion in schools, why not allow the parents of the child teach them religion at home. I always thought that Spain was a Catholic country. Just remember Spain, you reap what you sow.

The Muslim Brotherhood is a violent organization.

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Mike O • Apr 2, 2016 at 11:12

"Other monotheistic revelations of Allah" is a very pejorative expression. "Allah" is not the one, true, loving, living God of which the Nazarene told the world about. "Allah" is a sixth century AD confection for the purposes of economic and cultural unity of Arabs, an expression of human thought. When Judaism and Christianity were both well-established religions (especially Christianity, open to all) why invent a new religion?I suggest it was not for any altruistic reasons . . .

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julea Mike O • Apr 2, 2016 at 15:35

So there are only two solutions: No Religion taught at school, leaving that for home or religious churches, mosques, temples, whatever OR all religions have to be taught including Christian with Hebrew/Aramaic/Greek/, Judaism with Hebrew, Sufi, Zoroastrian, Hindu with some Indian dialect, Bahai, Buddhism with some Indian/Japanese, ALL of it or none of it or it is not fair and equal. ALL other religions have to demand, on principle with the goal to be that the Public Schools finally order Religion Outside Public schools.

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Keith • Apr 2, 2016 at 10:03

"Students are also to understand that Islam is a religion of peace — spiritual or internal peace and social or communitarian peace. The prophet teaches us to live in peace. Islam promotes solutions to resolve conflicts and social inequality.""

The Koran Sura 9 verse 5 "Then, when the sacred months have passed, slay the idolaters wherever ye find them, and take them (captive), and besiege them, and prepare for them each ambush. But if they repent and establish worship and pay the poor-due, then leave their way free. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful."

Yes, that certainly seems like a religion of peace to me, in exactly the same way that Hitler's National Socialist Party were a party of peace and reconciliation in the 1930's.

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PIETER V. • Apr 2, 2016 at 09:30

One would wonder what is the Pope doing about that? Catholicism is being driven out of Spain, but then again maybe that is what he is striving for seeing he and every religion in the world gather and have prayer meetings together.

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Michael Waugh • Apr 2, 2016 at 09:16

What terrible news. I thought Spain was a country where Christianity reigned. What a waste of taxpayers' money. These people will always remain segregated, if that is what they want.

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steve • Apr 2, 2016 at 08:24

Time for another Spanish civil war, the enemy is obvious, Islam, and all it stands for. Let us hope for a new Franco who will take off the gloves an do the job required. Have the Spanish forgotten the Madrid bombings already, or did the Muslims bomb them into submission ??

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Fred • Apr 2, 2016 at 08:17

It is almost contradictory to read this article. Europe has lost its way by promoting and encouraging religious teaching on a universal basis not realising the consequences. There seems no control regarding the teaching of the Koran & its content, nor the preaching of hatred in the Mosque, this is no benign religion. One has to assume that Europe is being mesmerized into believing it should go down the drain starting in Spain.

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Ian Harris • Apr 2, 2016 at 07:44

As usual, these people present themselves as moderate whilst their true agenda, as revealed many times and in many ways, is the fundamentalist Wahabist overthrow of Western liberal democracy and its replacement by 8th century mediaeval sharia.

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Albert • Apr 2, 2016 at 07:28

Spain adopted the idiotic concept that Islam is a religion of peace instead of the intelligent stand Belgium just took: All new immigrants will have to sign a paper that they accept the local culture or simply be shown the exit door. Goodbye Spain!

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sherri palmer Albert • Apr 2, 2016 at 22:04

That is happening in American schools as well, parents were not told about it, the schools just sneaked it in and parents have fought it.

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dmb sherri palmer • Apr 5, 2016 at 03:47

Sherri Pakmer. It is most disconcerting that courses on Islam are making their way into American classrooms. Do you have any specifics, such as where? Thank you for the information.

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David Ashton • Apr 2, 2016 at 07:17

Insanity marches on...Reconquista reversed.

Meanwhile in Britain, half our mosques are controlled by Deobandis or other "extremists"; and the "British values" curriculum is either opposed or semantically subverted, from primary school to university levels. Of course, the Muslims are none too happy about the latest secular fads, such as transgender ops for "dysphoric" youngsters, but so long as the traditional cultures of Europe, from Belfast to Budapest, are trashed, and eliminated from the consciousness of future generations, what's not to "like" for the "loony left"?

"The greatest danger...when race war combines with class war to finish of the 'white world'...It does not matter of the voice of [Soviet] Moscow is silent - the work goes on by itself" (Oswald Spengler, 1934).

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Jeff Page • Apr 2, 2016 at 07:03

What a crock! I would have thought the Spanish would be much more reluctant to engage with Muslims these days, considering their history. Haven't they learnt what the Muslims did to their people and country in the past?

That just about does it for me, I'll never set foot in Spain ever again. They can stick their country for the time they have in controlling it before the Muslim takeover!

Politicians who are so PC governed they forget the safety and future for their own people. Pathetic dregs, who hopefully will be the first victims when the Islamists take their country and apply sharia law!

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Peter Barth • Apr 2, 2016 at 06:58

The article is revealing, but not entirely clear on whether the Islamic part of the curriculum is intended only for Muslim children or for all, including children from non-Muslim background. The historic background mentions Andalus as derived from Arabic, but it is derived from a region known from late-Roman times as the country of the Vandals. El Andalus, as far as I am aware, was the region in southern Spain where Islam for many centuries reigned as opposed to the Catholic regions of Northern Spain from before the Reconquista.

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Ernie • Apr 2, 2016 at 06:47

How terribly sad that Spain has capitulated and given up the efforts of Isabela I of Castile! Spain should be ashamed, and her children will suffer.

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David Macko • Apr 2, 2016 at 05:50

Why don't the government authorities teach the children about how it took almost 800 years to drive the Moslems out of Spain and Portugal and reestablish Christianity on the Iberian peninsula. This news is further proof that all government schools, which taxpayers are compelled to finance and students are compelled to attend, should be abolished if we want a free world.

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